Niseko Now: Monday 25th December 2017
- Dec 25, 2017
- 4 min read
Independent snow and weather reporting from the Niseko region of Hokkaido
New snowfall at base 0cm
Snowfall at base this season 482cm
Posted on Monday 25th December 2017 This is an archived report. The latest Niseko Now report can be found here
Ho ho ho!
Merry Christmas! Again! (Remember to take the Christmas tree down this morning before you go out...)
It may be Christmas Day, but I'm afraid I cannot report lots of fluffy white snow to you this morning.
Instead, I'm lumped with talking about very mild conditions, wind and rain.
Yuck.
Of course things can't be perfect all the time. Not even in Niseko 17/18.
But the good news is that we are looking at a quick turn around with conditions and snow is due to be falling by this evening - possibly much sooner - and then we are on for snow falling throughout the coming week and heavily at times. And we'll need to keep an eye on the winds as well. But we should be able to forget this rainy blip quite quickly.
My recommendation is some bonus festive toast with extra jam this morning and a relaxing day, perhaps a good soak in an onsen. Or if you are particularly keen you could perhaps bravely battle the conditions; though wind looks like it's going to be playing against you though with mostly only lower lifts looking to be open at the start of the day. See below for the situation at 8:30am.
I will bring you much better news tomorrow morning. Promise.
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Niseko Avalanche Report:
Niseko base 6.00am: +5°, rain, snow melt. Moiwa 800m : +2.4°, ESE6.4m/s, fog. Annupuri 1150m: +2°, light easterly winds, thick fog. Hirafu 1250m: +1°, SE10m/s, fog. Coastal data: Benkei Cape:S8m/s. Kamui Cape: SW10m/s, 987hPa, wave 0.9m.
Above zero temperatures have made runs difficult to groom. A low pressure system will pass through before noon. Expect temperature drop, blizzard and conditions to deteriorate even more than now on the mountain. With the rain and heavy melt snow, snow bridges over the creeks can easily collapse. Also under lift lines, off the side of the course and even snow on the roof will crumble easily. This snow is heavy and very dangerous. If you get buried you cant inflate your chest and will suffocate.
Winter rain causes unexpected problems. It's no fun riding in these bad conditions. Make flexible plans according to the situation. The snow is soft and skiis tips can dig into the snow, careful going fast, crashing and breaking bones.
It is foggy with poor light and bad visibility, better not go out of bounds today. Stay in the ski resort. To avoid accidents all gates are closed today. Dont duck ropes to ride out of bounds. No1 tip for things to do today: go to an onsen.
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Monday 25th December 2017
Resort specific information (operations subject to change):
Niseko Grand Hirafu & Niseko HANAZONO Resort
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Ace Number 4 and King Number 2 are operating
** Strong winds are affecting all but the lower lifts at the start of the day
Official snow depth:
- Top: 270cm
- Base: 110cm
Niseko Annupuri Kokusai
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts are operating
** Strong winds are affecting Gondola, Jumbo 3 and 4 lifts at the start of the day
Official snow depth:
- Top: 210cm
- Base: 160cm
Niseko Village
Lifts scheduled to be operating:
- All lifts except Country Road Chair are operating
** Strong winds are affecting Gondola and top Wonderland lift at the start of the day
Official snow depth:
- Top: 220cm
- Base: 170cm
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Floodlit 'nighta' skiing:
Night skiing is planned for every evening at the Niseko Grand Hirafu, Niseko Village and Niseko Annupuri areas. There is no nighta at the Niseko HANAZONO area. Ski lifts that are scheduled to be operating for nighta are noted below (subject to change):
* Niseko Grand Hirafu - Ace Family quad, Ace Number 2 quad, Hirafu Gondola, Holiday Number 1 pair
* Niseko Annupuri - Jumbo Number 1 quad lift
* Niseko Village - Village Express, Upper Village Gondola, Community Chair, Banzai Chair
Niseko Now 2017-2018 season |
Data as of Monday 25th December 2017 Total snowfall at base so far 482cm Number of days snowfall observed at base 33 days Most snowfall observed in 1 day 38cm (21st December) November 2017 snowfall 188cm reported on 11 days December 2017 snowfall 294cm reported on 22 days |
All snowfall data presented on this page is the snowfall measured and observed at base/town level by our reporter based in Kutchan/Niseko. The 'new snowfall' number represents the amount of snow measured since the previous report. All opinions are those of the individual reporters. Information regarding ski area operations is manually checked every morning and is believed to be correct at the time of the report.